CYPRESS, CA - Cypress College Athletics is set to welcome 12 new inductees into the Hall of Fame as members of the 2023 class. Cypress College's first Hall of Fame Induction Event since 2019 is set to take place on campus at Cypress College on Thursday, May 11 from 5:00pm-8:30pm. The event will begin with a social and cocktail hour before dinner is served and the induction ceremony will begin at 6:30pm. Registration for the event is required in advance using the link provided below or by visiting Cypresschargers.com and clicking the "Hall of Fame" tab.
CYPRESS COLLEGE ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2023
Tyrone Branyan: Branyan played for the Cypress men's basketball team from 1975-1977 and was awarded MVP as he led the program to its first ever State Championship Title. Ending near the top of the teams' records books, he finished his time as a Charger and went on to play for the University of Texas. There, Branyan contributed to multiple Southwestern Conference Championship wins for the Longhorns. Later he was drafted in the 7th round of the 1979 NBA Draft to the San Antonio Spurs.
John Bell: Bell was a multi-sport athlete at Cypress College from 1969-1970, participating for the Chargers' wrestling and football programs. As a Charger, he was awarded two conference MVP Awards for his play as a defensive end and was selected to the All Southern California First-Team for going undefeated in dual on the wrestling team. Bell continued his wrestling and football career at the University of Nebraska where he contributed to multiple College Bowl victories for the Cornhuskers, including a National Championship in 1971.
Craig Foster: Foster wrestled for the Chargers program from 1975-1976 where he received All-Conference and All-American awards. He earned a Regional Championship his sophomore year, where he ended the season with the most victories. Foster went on to wrestle for the Eastern Washington Eagles and was ranked fifth on the 1980 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes All-American list after defeating the defending National Champion. After his wrestling years, he went on to coach for Eastern Washington. He was awarded Coach-of-the-year four times and was inducted to the Washington Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Vedda "Faith" Desatoff: Desatoff played for the women's soccer team during the 1996-1997 seasons and has her name in the program's record books to this day. Under her leadership, the team made consecutive CCCAA Final Four appearances. For Desatoff's performance at Cypress College, she earned a full ride scholarship to San Diego State University. However, tragedy struck as she fell into a coma during her first practice as an Aztec. She was comatosed for 21 years before passing away in 2019. Desatoff's legacy is recognized each year during the season by the women's soccer program, with the team wearing shirts that read "Faith" in her honor during pregame warmups.
Jane Specht: Specht was a member of the Cypress women's soccer program from 1998-1999. Her performance led the team to back-to-back State Championships, including the first State Chamionship in program history, where she earned State tournament MVP. Playing under Ray Haas, she helped to transform the Cypress College women's soccer program into a national powerhouse. She was voted All-American by the National Soccer Collegiate Athletic Association. After her time at Cypress, she acquired a scholarship to play at San Diego State University. Specht individual statistics remain at the top of the Chargers record books and her name is attached to the program's OEC, National, and State Championship runs.
Bernice Orwig: Orwig was a goalkeeper for the Cypress College men's water polo team from 1995-1996. Her talent and hard work drew the attention of local prestigious four-year institutions. She went on to play for the University of Southern California Trojans and win the Peter J. Cutino award for top women's college water polo player. Orwig was in goal for the United States National Women's Water Polo team and captured Silver at the Australian Olympics in 2000. After her playing days, she was invited back to coach the Junior National team where she struck silver once again. She continued her coaching career at UC Berkeley, University of Michigan, USC, and helped lead Golden West College a State Championship.
Sloan Turner: Turner played center for the Cypress College women's basketball team from 2011-2013, where she was a First Team All-State selection in 2013. She shattered individual statistics within the program's record books that are still standing today. Turner holds the school's record for blocked shots with 182, with the runner up sitting at 93 blocks. She also finished second in Cypress history in rebounds, coming down with 597 for her career. After her two years as a Charger, she received a scholarship to continue her basketball career at University of Mary.
Koral King: King played for Cypress College on the women's softball program in the 1999-2000 seasons. Her clutch swings for the Chargers awarded her First-Team All-Conference, All-State and All-American honors. As a Charger, she was a part of back-to-back Orange Empire Conference titles and competed in State Finals. King's bat is still top ten in multiple offensive statistics in the program's record books. She transferred to Baylor University on a scholarship and continued her softball career. Legendary Cypress softball coach, Brad Pickler, remembers her days at Cypress with high praise for her play and leadership.
Nicole Moojen: Moojen played for the Chargers women's softball team from 2004-2005. Her bat and baserunning are still top ten in the program's record books almost two decades later. Currently, she is second in stolen bags with 65 steals, third in walks with 56 and top ten in batting average, triples and runs scored. She led the team to a 2005 State Championship appearance and was named to the OEC First-Team and MVP. Moojen was named to the First Team and All-State JuCal Transfer team. Her play was recognized at the next level where she continued her softball career at the University of Washington.
Jeff Patterson: Patterson pitched for the Chargers baseball team in the 1988-1989 seasons. In his sophomore year, he set the program records for most strikeouts in a single season with 129 and the record would stand alone for a decade. Patterson was selected to the Super Regional Team his second season and landed top ten in the Cypress program's statistical pitching categories. After his Charger days, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 58th round in the 1988 MLB Draft. Patterson's professional career saw him pitch for the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees organizations.
Josh Kliner: Kliner played for the baseball program at Cypress College from 1993-1994 where he captained the 1994 CCCAA State Championship team. Kliner continued his baseball career at the University of Kansas, where he received 1st Team Division I All-American honors as a second baseman in addition to Big Eight Player of the Year in 1996. He went on to play professionally in the Diamondbacks organization, Independent Leagues and in France. After his playing days, he has found success as a head baseball coach and teacher at El Modena High School.
Scott Tucker: Tucker dedicated 36 years to Cypress College and the Athletics Department as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Chargers' intercollegiate athletic programs. He was recognized by Chapman University as the Clinical Instructor of the Year recipient in 2009, before earning the California Community College Athletic Trainer of the Year Award in 2016, and was later inducted into the California Community College Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in 2020. Tucker is recognized and appreciated for his positive influence of compassion, mentorship, and knowledge for players who find themselves competing at the community college level. He has continued his contributions to Cypress College as an adjunct kinesiology faculty member and assistant men's basketball coach following his retirement from athletic training in 2021.
The Cypress College Athletics Hall of Fame Committee would like to formally congratulate all 2023 Hall of Fame inductees by celebrating their outstanding accomplishments with alumni, friends, family, and supporters of Cypress College Athletics at the 2023 induction event. Please reach out to Athletic Director, Wes McCurtis, via email at wmccurtis@cypresscollege.edu for event inquiries or additional information.
